FIA President Max Mosley was present in Shanghai and told the press that the 2005 calendar would feature 17 grands prix, leading to speculation as to which two events would be cancelled, given that a provisional list of dates, published earlier features 19 rounds, including all existing events plus a new one in Turkey.
It appears as if one of the events to be dropped for the agenda is Silverstone with the deadline for its position coming due today. FOM chief Bernie Ecclestone has asked for nine million pounds per season to promote the race and the BRDC are unable to come up with the funds, instead they fall three million pounds short.
Former champion and BRDC President Sir Jackie Stewart, has called on the British Government to help make up the shortfall so that the race can stay at Silverstone, but at the time of writing the eleventh hour plea has had little effect.
“We are up against countries like China, Bahrain and Malaysia whose Government stump up the money for the event,” Stewart said in the Sun. “The Government need to know there is a very strong chance we will lose the British Grand Prix.”
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